USA #1 Cattle Breeds

1-The American is a breed of cattle originating in the United States and known for its heritage as an American Bison hybrid. It was developed in the 1950s by a New Mexico rancher looking for beef cattle which could survive on poor fodder in the arid Southwest. Today the American is one of only a few pure breeds with any known Bison genetics, with the more well-known breed being the Beefalo. Art Jones, the original breeder, began by crossing Hereford, Shorthorn and Charolais, and later added extensive crosses with Brahman cattle and Bison. Today all individuals of this rare breed display the genetic marker for Bison ancestry. American cattle are varying in appearance, though nearly all display the floppy Brahman ears, slight humps, and many have horns. Origin: USA (New Mexico). Developed in 1950 from Brahman (1/2), Charolais (1/4), Bison (1/8), Hereford (1/16), and Shorthorn (1/16). Type: Meat. Flavor: Low-fat. Size: Medium to Large. Color: Variable. Horns: Horned. Temperament: Gentle. Notes: Drought-tolerant >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2-The modern Red Poll breed was developed by combining two relatively pure landrace strains of cattle on the East Coast of England. The Suffolk cattle were a small, reddish colored, polled breed of cattle that had been developed over the generations as a dairy breed. The Norfolk cattle were small red and white, horned cattle developed primarily as a beef breed. The two strains of cattle had been developed from native cattle of the regions. The origins of the native cattle have been lost in the mists of time, but historians suggest that red cattle were brought to Great Britain by both the Romans and the Vikings. Rev. Arthur Young, in his book The General View of Agriculture of the County of Norfolk, published in 1794, wrote this description of the Suffolk cattle: “This breed is universally polled, that is without horns; the size small, few rise when fat to above fifty stones (700 pounds). . . . If I were to describe the points of certain individuals . . . a clean throat with little dewlap; a thin clean snake head; thin legs; a very large carcase; ribs tolerably springing from the centre of the back but with a heavy belley; backbone ridged; chine thin and hollow; loin narrow; udder large, loose and creased when empty; milk-veins remarkably large, and rising in knotted puffs to the eye . . . many of these beasts will fatten remarkably well; the flesh of a fine quality; and in that state will feel well enough to satisfy the touch of skillful butchers. The best milkers I have known, have either been red, brindle, or yellowish cream coloured . . . the quality of milk is very considerable indeed.” 100_3496 copyMarshall, in 1782 wrote this about the Norfolk cattle: (as quoted in the Red Polled Herd Book, vol 1, American ed., 1891): “a small, hardy, thriving race; fattening as freely and finishing as highly at three years old as cattle in general do at four or five. They are small boned, short legged, round barrelled, well-loined, thin-thighed, clean chapped; the head, in general, fine, and the horns clean, middle sized and bent forward; the favorite colour a blood-red with a white mottled face . . . and if the London butchers be judges of beef, there are no better beasts sent to Smithfield market. The two qualifications, namely the superior quality of their flesh, and their fattening freely at an early age, do away with every solid objection to their size and form.” In the early 1800’s, John Reeve, a tenet on the Earl of Leicester’s Holkham Estate in Norfolk, began mating his Norfolk cows to Suffolk bulls. Reeve and other breeders of the era selected cattle for both beef and milk production. Reeve’s improved cattle became known as “The Red Polled Cattle Descended from the Norfolk and Suffolk Red Polled.” The small red cattle with the big name gained popularity as improved cattle and were recognized as a separate breed in 1846. The Red Poll Herd Book was one of the earliest purebred cattle registries in England. Henry Euren an English agricultural writer published the first Red Poll Herd Book in 1874. Using farm and estate records, Mr. Euren was able to gather pedigrees of the foundation cattle of the breed, recreating accurate records back to the beginning of the breed. 068_68 copyRed Poll cattle were first imported to the United States in 1873 by G.F. Tabor of New York, as recorded in Volume 1 of the Original Series. Between 1973 and 1900 about 300 head of Red Poll cattle were imported into the US and it is from these cattle that the breed in the US developed. Volume II of the Red Poll Herd Book, American Series, recorded pedigrees of 504 bulls and 961 cows in 27 states. Red Polls defied the cattle depression of the 1890’s, as the demand for these cattle grew. During the 1920’s more than 6,000 head were registered annually. During the Depression, registrations declined to 1,100 in 1937. Registrations rebounded to about 5,000 in the 1950’s. During the 1950s and 1960s the breed went through a period of transition – moving from being a “dual purpose” breed to being a single purpose, beef breed. The transition was considered complete and in 1972 the breed was officially declared a beef breed. Red Poll cattle continue to thrive today on many American Family Farms; some of which have owned Red Polls for 4 or 5 generations. The population of Red Poll cattle is concentrated in the Mid-West, with herds thriving in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, the Piedmont of North Carolina and the Washington Pacific Coast. There is renewed interest in the breed as both a Heritage breed and as a breed that can produce Choice quality carcasses on grass only. Described at the Norman invasion of England in 1066, Sussex Cattle are indeed an ancient breed. It is said that the Sussex is descended from the horned “red cows” once found throughout much of southern England, inhabiting the dense forests of the Weald land of Sussex and Kent. In its original form one of its chief characteristics was its long, strong horns (– rather similar in style to those of the old English Longhorn). They were used as draft animals for several years before being primed for beef production at the age of six or seven. They were bred for their speed in moving across territory, their hardiness when grazing on poor land and their muscling. One of the earliest references to the purebred Sussex cattle was in 1793 by Arthur Young in his book 'Agriculture in Sussex'. In it he mentions that Sussex breeders' ideas ran strongly in favour of a dark red colour; and that the Sussex are remarkable for the fineness of their hides as they are for the closeness and delicacy of their flesh. The breed was not seriously developed until the 1800's, when breeders began encouraging both the red colour and the beef qualities of these cattle. In their heyday, Sussex cattle were noted for producing powerful, active bullocks suitable for working the heavy land of their native country. As the use of draught oxen gave way to horses, the Sussex became primarily a beef breed. Over more recent decades, breeders of Sussex Cattle have evolved a carcase conformation aimed at producing a maximum of prime meat whilst retaining the inherent genetic qualities of the breed. Characteristics The Sussex is a medium sized cow with a smooth dark red coloured coat with white tail switches, in colder climates they can grow a thicker curlier coat. The Sussex cow measures approximately 135cm at the withers and weighs 585kg and the bull 145cm and 950kgs. Sussex cows are thrifty, long-lived cattle well suited to today’s narrow market requirements and stringent economic climate. They are also fairly easy to handle because of their history as draft animals and can adapt well to most management systems. The Sussex Breed ensures that its beneficial characteristics are easily fixed and passed on with great pre-potency in a crossbreeding program that will improve the foundation stock. Statistics Quiet and easy to handle – have an excellent temperament and are well known for their placid nature. Mobility - Strong legs and good feet enable Sussex to walk long distances over difficult terrain (report from Zambia describes rustled cows covering 55km in 24 hours, finding their own way back home). High fertility - Sussex cows are easy calving, regular breeders well into their teens under commercial conditions. Easy calving – Sussex calves are small at birth having an average weight of 30-40 kg Early maturing - with a high percentage of saleable meat Efficient foragers - the Sussex maintain their condition even on poor quality feed. They are known for their non-selective grazing They have the Bos Indicus factor, will tolerate heat and drought Sussex bulls make ideal terminal bulls for dairy herds Heat tolerant – Pigmented skin and a high number of sweat glands (900+ per sq. cm.)enable the Sussx to thrive in many different conditions, they develop a smooth summer coat, plus in winter conditions, rapid growth of a winter coat ensures tolerance of cold enabling Sussex to be out-wintered on exposed marshes. Distribution Photo courtesy of Waverley Herd, Waverley Herd of Sussex Cattle Today, Sussex Cattle remain a breed of the British Isles, they are flourishing and have gained popularity worldwide, especially in such countries as the Australia, South Africa and the United States. They have also been exported to New Zealand in 1970 but there are only a few purebred herds as yet. References (the above information was cited from the following sites) 4-Lineback Dairy Cattle also known as Witrick is a dual breed of cattle, derived from the Holstein breed, and to whom the Randall cattle bear a strong resemblance. While not a commonplace breed, they are found in small numbers as "productive pets" amid larger numbers of other dairy cattle breeds on dairy farms throughout North America. Known for their distinctive colour-sided coloration, the Lineback has a black base and nose with a skunk-like white stripe or finching along the spine. Due to the rarity of the pure-strain breed, variations such as red lineback and animals with a heavily speckled pelt instead of a distinct stripe occur from time to time. The breed is often cross bred to other dairy cattle, though the coloration trait is generally dominant in offspring Originating mainly from Holland, Europe in the 1700-1800's, Lineback’s first appeared in America when English and Hollanders settled in the country. Lineback’s were a very dual-purpose animal, fulfilling the owners' needs for both milk and meat. As time went on into the 1900s, farmers started to specialize in either beef or dairy production. The Lineback has over time been selected for improved dairy production due to there “high components“, although it remains a very versatile breed, that was and is heavily influenced by Holstein Blood. The current "Idealistic Lineback Cow" The “Lineback cow” has been up-bred to be a very productive dairy cow. Still occasionally influenced by Holstein blood this genetically superior breed has remained versatile enough to be prevalent in these demanding modern times. Today there are several thousand Lineback dairy cows in the United States 5-Since the late 1970’s, Amerifax cattle have been satisfying cattlemen looking for increased growth and fertility in their herds. This breed originated in the United States in 1977 with the founding of the Amerifax Cattle Association. The name “Amerifax” is derived from the American Friesian-Angus cross. They are a mixture of 5/8 Angus and 3/8 Beef Friesian. Beef Friesians, known for their strength in production, were brought from Ireland to the United States in 1971. The Beef Friesian and Angus breeds complement each other, producing a functional and productive offspring. Amerifax cattle retain all the desirable Angus traits that cattlemen have depended on and profited from for more than a century. Amerifax cattle are polled and can either be black or red. The breed features outstanding carcass traits and excellent weaning and yearling performance. Weaning weights are 75-100 lbs. heavier than calves from straight British breeds. Amerifax calves grow efficiently, finishing 15 to 18 months in the feedlot. Amerifax Steers grade with a high cutability, finishing around 1050-1200 lbs. Bulls reach 1100-1200 lbs. at yearling weights and around 2000 lbs. at their mature weight. Both males and females have a superior fleshing ability and natural volume and muscling. Amerifax cattle have longevity and would be an asset to any. These highly fertile cattle have excellent maternal characteristics. They produce newborn calves around 65-85 lbs. A moderate birth weight paired with the large pelvic size of both bulls and females allows for excellent calving ease. Amerifax are known for their early development where offspring can be successfully bred as early as yearlings. Females display tremendous mothering ability and produce an abundant supply of milk without experiencing udder difficulties, leading to heavy weaning weights of calves. Bulls are aggressive breeders and can handle breeding a large number of females, even on large pastures. The breed features a shortened gestation length, which only 274-280 days. The shortened length allows for naturally easier calving since it is 10 days to 2 weeks shorter than most other breeds. Both males and females possess gentle dispositions, which prove great for any operation. Amerifax are easy to work with, resulting in a lower investment in and less wear and tear on handling facilities. Since their establishment in the United States in the late 1970’s, Amerifax cattle have been successfully incorporated into many operations nationwide. They are used in correlation with Angus cattle for superior hybrid vigor. . Amerifax Origin: USA. Developed in 1970’s. Angus (5/8) and Friesan (3/8). Type: Meat. Flavor: No reliable information can be found. Size: Medium to Large. Color: Black or red. Horns: Polled (natural) Temperament: No reliable information can be found. Notes: Fast growing. Popular as a grass-fed animal. Good mothers. 6,7-The American Angus (aka Angus) originated in the following steps: In 1873 – George Grant imported Aberdeen-Angus bulls into Kansas. In 1880 – the Ontario Agricultural College imported Aberdeen-Angus cattle into Canada — and during the same year — their first purebred Aberdeen-Angus heifer calf was born. After she grew into a heifer, this Canadian-born purebred Aberdeen-Angus was then sent to Kansas State University which used her and George Grant's bulls to create the foundation needed for the establishment of hundreds of purebred Angus herds in the USA. In 1883 – the American Aberdeen-Angus Breeders’ Association was founded — and is now called the American Angus Association. 8-It happened by dint of genetic accident, but a herd of White Angus cattle is contentedly grazing the pastures at the University of Florida Range Cattle and Research Center at Ona, Fla. The cattle are not pure Angus, of course, but a composite that is genetically three-fourths black Angus but with a white hair coat and dark skin. The remaining fourth is a combination of black Angus, Charolais, Brahman and Simmental, according to John Arthington, Center director. It’s a genetic combination that offers some significant advantages in warm climates. One study found Ona White Angus heifers had an 83% greater sweating rate compared with black Angus heifers and another study found the Ona White Angus cattle had lower vaginal temperatures during peak heat. “These data suggest a greater ability for the Ona White Angus to cool themselves during instances of heat and humidity pressure,” Arthington says. “As a result, we have detected a significant decrease in the mount of daylight hours that the Ona White Angus expended in the shade.” 9-The Ankole-Watusi breed (aka Watusi) consists of purebred Watusi cattle and also Watusi cattle that have been crossbred with Texas Longhorns. The crossing with Texas Longhorns has led to a lean beef and also the promotion of their use in rodeo roping. Ankole cattle are found in East Africa in an area extending from Lake Albert (formerly Lake Mobutu) to Lake Tanganyika. (Both lakes belong to a series of lakes known as the African Great Lakes.) Ankole cattle are described as having: very long horns medium-long heads short necks with large dewlaps narrow chests The Ankole-Watusi is a modern American breed of domestic cattle. It derives from the Ankole group of Sanga cattle breeds of central Africa. It is characterized by very large horns. Ankole cattle are a very active and highly social species that prefer to live in a large herd for company and protection. Ankole-Watusi cattle are the show-stoppers of the bovine kingdom. Medium-sized animals, with long, large-diameter horns, they attract attention wherever they appear. These regal animals can easily trace their ancestry back more than 6,000 years and have often been referred to as "cattle of kings."The History of an Ancient Long-horned, humpless domestic cattle were well established in the Nile Valley by 4000 B.C. These cattle, known as the Egyptian or Hamitic Longhorn, appear in pictographs in Egyptian pyramids. Over the next twenty centuries (2.000 years), the Egyptian Longhorn migrated with its owners from the Nile to Ethiopia, and then down to the southern reaches of Africa. Particularly remarkable are the cattle found in Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. In Uganda, the Nkole tribe's Sanga variety is known as the Ankole. In Rwanda and Burundi, the Tutsi tribe's Sanga variety is called the Watusi. The Rwanda common strain of Watusi is called Inkuku. The giant-horned strain, owned by the Tutsi kings and chiefs, is called the Inyambo, though some current tribal reports claim that this type is now extinct. Traditionally, Ankole-Watusi were considered sacred. They supplied milk to the owners, but were only rarely used for meat production, since an owner's wealth was counted in live animals. Ankole-Watusi Origin: Africa. Originated in the Nile Valley about 6,000 years ago! Type: Meat. Flavor: Lean meat. Size: Medium to Large. Color: Wide range of colors and patterns. Horns: Extremely large! Temperament: “even though the horns can be intimidating, Ankole-Watusi cattle are docile, even trainable”, “excellent temperament” Notes: Easy calving. Fast growth. Milk has high concentration of fat (10%). Tolerates temperature extremes. 10-Balancer are a hybrid breed of beef cattle, a combination of Gelbvieh and Angus. These cattle are bred for their hybrid vigour, resulting in a higher growth rate and better quality meat.